Gritten faces abuse counts

Albert City man charged in Pocahontas Co.

January 24, 2014

POCAHONTAS - An Albert City man has been arrested in Pocahontas County on allegations that he sexually assaulted a child.

Matthew Gritten, 42, of Albert City, has been charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse and two counts of lascivious acts with a child.

Second-degree sexual abuse is a Class B felony, while lascivious acts with a child is a Class C felony.

Gritten was arrested by Pocahontas County deputies on Friday after the Iowa Department of Human Services reported the alleged sexual abuse to the Pocahontas County sheriff's office, according to a statement from Sheriff Robert Lampe.

The alleged abuse on the victim, who was only identified as being under the age of 12, happened on Jan. 15.

Gritten is being held in the Pocahontas County Jail in lieu of a $120,000 bond.